At North Shore Business Travel our team are committed to giving our customers a first class personalised service. Having travelled extensively themselves, they understand the many different needs of each person and the nuances of destination(s)
As world events have highlighted, the importance of having a reliable, responsive and trust worthy travel management company is essential
Managing Director and owner-operator Leith Sisson recently celebrated 30 years of owning the agency. Leith is fully hands-on in the business and proud to be 100% wholly New Zealand-owned and operated
“Our people are undoubtedly our most valuable asset and the key to our continuing success. The maturity and experience of the NSBT team is a clear point of difference to our competitors. The longevity and dedication of each consultant has been a crucial factor in our continued success, especially during the Pandemic. We don’t believe in ‘one size fits all’ and we work hard to proactively manage our clients’ needs”
Our travel experts:
Leith Sisson
Managing Director
With over 40 plus years in the NZ travel Industry working in both corporate and leisure agencies in various locations across both islands, Leith finally purchased NSBT in 1993 . Specialising in luxury private and corporate travel NSBT was invited to join the Virtuoso network in 2007 connecting Leith with a wonderful network of likeminded passionate luxury travel partners .Leith's foremost reputation has seen her invited onto a numbers of strategic travel Advisory boards including the First Travel Group board and since 2019 Leith was the first NZ Representative for the Virtuoso APAC Advisory board,. There are few countries on the planet Leith hasn't been to - including Antarctica and most recently the Amazon . Leith's specialty is Europe and Africa, South America and luxury and Expedition cruise . Once NZ borders reopened, Leith travelled extensively to international trade conferences and events to reconnect with key industry partners .In the past 2 years Leith has also cruised on many of the worlds most luxurious ships rediscovering her passion for cruise , finally culminating this year in being awarded as the only NZ Virtuoso advisor to attain Cruise Icon status in the top 1 % of the virtuoso global network. Leith loves connecting people with special places and creating memories that last long after the journey ends
Karla van Niekerk
Account Manager
Industry experience: 30 plus years. Karla is committed to constantly providing bespoke corporate and leisure travel solution(s). Among Karla's many talents, she is NSBT's expert on Zeno - our online booking tool. Experienced in all aspects of corporate account management including development and compliance of travel policies. She believes time is your most valuable and non-renewable asset. Once it's gone you can't get it back. Karla's objective therefore, is to provide tailor-made solutions to save time - and facilitate expense management.
Angelene Haslem
International Consultant
Industry experience: With 30 plus years specialising in corporate and leisure travel, Angelene thinks creatively about every booking, taking care to provide the best value for money. Always going ‘above and beyond’, she often knows the answers to questions you may not even have thought of! Her impeccable customer focus and passion for travel ensures each of her clients experience exactly what they want from their trip.
Countries visited South Pacific. Australia, SE Asia, China, Japan, USA, Egypt, Europe, Israel, Argentina, Oman and UAE, Canada, and Hawaii. Angelene most recently visited Tasmania as a guest of the Tourism board.
Michele Miratana
International Consultant
Industry experience: 30 plus years. Our people are undoubtedly our most valuable asset and the key to our continuing success.
Highly experienced in all aspects of leisure, and corporate travel, Michele also specialises in group travel. She is highly regarded in the travel industry. Her passion, knowledge and experience means she always offers exceptional service to our clients, most of whom have been booking with her for many years. Michele doesn't believe in “one size fits all” and works hard to proactively manage clients’ needs.
Countries visited: South Pacific including French Polynesia (Tahiti) in April 2023 (which makes Michele the 3rd Tahiti expert in our office), Europe, USA, Peru, Cuba, Bali, Australia, Thailand, Singapore, China,
Penny Ahlfeld
International Consultant
At seventeen, Penny moved to Edinburgh for a GAP year, where her love of travel began and she explored UK and Europe. A Bachelor of Tourism and a minor in marketing (Otago University in 2008) followed, leading to a successful travel career. Initially working as a retail consultant with Flight Centre in Sydney, Penny then made the progression into high-end leisure travel with American Express Centurion. As well as being a specialist in VIRTUOSO, Penny also assists with corporate travel. Countries visited: Europe Australia, Japan, Mexico, USA, Cuba, Peru, Thailand, Bali, Singapore
"Travel is and has always been my passion and I love making my clients' dreams come true by working with them to piece together their own tailored itineraries"
Micaela Synott
Shorthaul Consultant
Micaela started her journey in the industry 10 years ago as a student - completing an internship at Florida's Walt Disney. Returning to New Zealand, she gained experience in Adventure tourism. Her love of travel lead her to London working for a Global touring operator. Micaela returned to the school she graduated from - as a Tourism Trainer. This enabled her to share industry experience and knowledge - expertise she shares at NSBT
Angela Clark
Accountant / Administration
Industry experience: 30 plus years. Responsible for all agency accounts, administration, and sales reporting.
Countries visited: Europe, Canada, Egypt, South Pacific (Rarotonga, Fiji, and Noumea), USA, Hawaii, SE Asia. With family in the UK & Spain, Angela has a good excuse to travel whenever she can.
Liz Dixon
Sales and Administration Support
Liz has been a valuable part of our team for over three years. Having taken a break, she has now rejoined us to complement the reception and personal assistant role. As well as being the welcoming voice behind the phone, Liz also provides sales support and administration skills. She is passionate about travel, and delighted to once again be part of North Shore Business Travel’s ongoing success
James Langton
Travel Broker
James is one of New Zealand's most highly regarded and well-known travel identities (aka a legend)!
With his passion for travel and a world of experience, we are delighted to have him as a broker in our team.
There are very few places on the planet James hasn't been to, and he's looking forward to exploring more.
Jo-Anne Khor
Travel Broker
Jo-Anne's love of travel set her on a career path when she left school. After owning her own travel agency for 17 years, she partnered with Rose Ennis to create a specialised travel brokerage.
"For me the excitement is in personalising your travel, making sure your experiences exceed your highest expectations. There's so much on offer, my job is to tailor it to you"
Countries visited: Europe, India, Egypt, Morocco, Africa, Mauritius, Russia, Finland, Estonia, Portugal, SE Asia (including living in Malaysia), Nova Scotia, USA, Canada, Australia, South Pacific - to name a few.
Rose Ennis
Travel Broker
Beginning her career in 1980, Rose has specialised in corporate, leisure and group travel. In 1993 she created a specialist travel brokerage returning to her passion - business travel.
"Whether you travel for business or pleasure, I know how important it is to you. I love finding solutions for complex itineraries ... and those extra benefits to delight you on the way"
Countries visited: Europe, USA, South Pacific, SE Asia (Vietnam and Cambodia), Australia.
Kerie Dixon
Travel Broker
Industry experience: 40 years. Having worked for an airline, a travel wholesaler, corporate as well as leisure agencies, Kerie has extensive experience in all things related to travel. For the last 10 years she has been an independent travel broker allowing her to get to know the wants and needs of her client base very well. “NSBT’s relationships with Virtuoso and Hyatt Prive is a great fit for my clients"
Susie Cassels-Brown
Travel Broker
Industry experience: 30 plus years
Located in central Warkworth, Susie joined NSBT in 2017, transitioning to an independent travel affiliate with NSBT in 2021.
NSBT’s relationships with Virtuoso and Hyatt Prive is a perfect fit with Susie's clients. Her focus is on excellence in product and service as well as creating memories, whatever the occasion. Her relationships with hotels, resorts, cruise lines and tour operators ensures your experience is special. Susie has earned many accolades, and is most proud of her loyal customer base.
